weld

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verb \ˈweld\

Definition of weld

intransitive verb
: to become or be capable of being welded
transitive verb
1a : to unite (metallic parts) by heating and allowing the metals to flow together or by hammering or compressing with or without previous heatingb : to unite (plastics) in a similar manner by heatingc : to repair (something) by this methodd : to produce or create as if by such a process
2 : to unite or reunite closely or intimately architecture that welds the past and the present

weldable

play \ˈwel-də-bəl\ adjective

See weld defined for English-language learners

See weld defined for kids

Examples of weld in a Sentence

She learned how to weld.
We welded the beams together.
They were welded together in friendship.
His style of painting welds impressionism with surrealism.

Recent Examples of weld from the Web

New title Wasteland Express Delivery Service attempts to tackle this problem by welding an over-the-top Armageddon setting to a lightweight pick-up-and-deliver frame.

— charlie theel, Ars Technica, "Wasteland Express Delivery Service", 1 July 2017
Push-ups and pull-ups on the metal bars LaVar and his dad, Anderson—onetime bodyguard for Sylvester Stallone and Mr. T—welded outside the house.

— zach baron, GQ, "Between LaVar Ball and LaVar-ology", 21 June 2017
Students from dozens of central and northwestern Connecticut towns attended Bristol Technical part-time in their high school years to learn trades from welding to car repair.

— don stacom, Courant Community, "More Than 150 Awarded Certificate At Bristol Tech", 20 June 2017
Job-seekers learn how to weld, said Camden County freeholder Jonathan Young, and after that they may be hired by Holtec.

— michael burke, Philly.com, "As its Camden factory grows, Holtec looks to fill jobs in city", 13 June 2017
Aurora Fire Department officials say welding at a body shop led to a fire over the weekend in the 600 block of North Broadway.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Fire damages building on North Broadway in Aurora", 5 June 2017
The final touch was to be a homemade 45-foot steel flagpole, the tip of which was a copper toilet float welded into place.

— john kelly, Washington Post, "Baseball fields in Annandale memorialize six men killed in a freak accident in 1967", 31 May 2017
The prison has been closed since 2002, when its gates were welded shut.

— alicia fabbre, Will County, "Court orders that teen accused of setting Joliet prison fire undergo exams", 31 May 2017
The prison has been closed since 2002, when its gates were welded shut.

— alicia fabbre, Daily Southtown, "Officials: Teen charged in Memorial Day Joliet prison fire", 30 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'weld'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of weld

alteration of obsolete English well to weld, from Middle English wellen to boil, well, weld — more at well

NEW!

First Known Use: 1599

See Words from the same year

weld

noun

Definition of weld

1 : a welded joint
2 : union by welding : the state or condition of being welded

See weld defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of weld from the Web

The silvery vacuum chamber resembles a zeppelin, the vaguely Art Deco lines of the welds between its stainless steel panels looking at once futuristic and old-fashioned.

— adrian cho, Science | AAAS, "Weighing the universe's most elusive particle", 29 June 2017
According to documents reviewed by Reuters, Takata says that rust, bad welds, and even chewing gum dropped into at least one inflator are also at fault.

— clifford atiyeh and rusty blackwell, Car and Driver, "Massive Takata Airbag Recall: Everything You Need to Know, Including Full List of Affected Vehicles", 26 June 2017
Another robot—one of Yaskawa’s most popular products—welds metal parts together faster and more accurately than humans can.

— alana semuels, The Atlantic, "Making the Machines that Replace Humans", 28 May 2017
Helicopters are flying in equipment and replacement piping that crew members assemble into new sections and weld together in rugged terrain, including on the sides of steep cliffs.

— Washington Post, "Grand Canyon’s North Rim faces limited services at reopening", 3 May 2017
On Wednesday, amid the machinery of a pipe and weld fittings manufacturing plant in Houston, Mr. Cruz reveled in a reception befitting a native son.

— matt flegenheimer, New York Times, "Ted Cruz Fights in Texas, Hoping It Won’t Be His Alamo", 25 Feb. 2016

First Known Use of weld

1831

WELD Defined for English Language Learners

weld

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verb

Definition of weld for English Language Learners

: to join pieces of metal together by heating the edges until they begin to melt and then pressing them together
: to join or bring (people or things) close together

weld

noun

Definition of weld for English Language Learners

: a connection made by welding pieces of metal

WELD Defined for Kids

weld

play

verb \ˈweld\

Definition of weld for Students

welded

;

welding

1 : to join two pieces of metal or plastic by heating and allowing the edges to flow together
2 : to be capable of being joined by heating and allowing the edges to flow together Some metals weld easily.
3 : to join closely The author welds two stories into one.